30th Wedding anniversary for Mark and Enid Raines
18 Glebelands, Holsworthy – 2pm 15th June 2021
Dear Enid and Mark, I would usually welcome you to the place that your anniversary celebration is taking place, however in this instance I would like to say that I feel very welcomed to be in your lovely home! I love all your garden ornaments outside!
I feel honoured to have been asked to hold a small blessing for you both on your 30th wedding anniversary today…Many congratulations, I was interested to find out that Pearls are the Symbols of the 30th Wedding Anniversary; long-lasting and ever-growing, the 30th anniversary signifies a deep bond, a solid relationship moulded by experiences and perfected in time – similar to a pearl. Like pearls, couples who reach 30 years of marriage are relatively rare, and the pearl symbolises the beauty and scarcity of such a wonderful union. As the traditional symbol of the 30th anniversary, pearls represent everlasting love and purity. After all, pearls are strongly connected with the idea of love. Legend has it that Cleopatra herself crushed a large pearl, then drank it, in a gesture meant to show Marc Anthony her everlasting love.
I’m thinking that you probably didn’t drink a crushed pearl Enid to show your Mark your love however I loved hearing that you went one stage further and actually bought your husband in the 80’s after he placed an advert selling himself in the lonely hearts section of the Back Street Heroes, biker magazine. That is so cool, although Mark told me that sometimes you think you should have a refund! You went through many challenges then to be together and here you are still over 30 years from then!
So going back to the Pearl idea, I suppose that is when the pearl first started, like a grain of sand in an oyster…gradually over the next 30 plus years it has become a beautiful pearl with a few special dates along the way. August 1988 must have been a special time Mark when you moved from your native Essex to Devon for you both to be together and then, of course, the reason why we are here to celebrate and offer a blessing for this particular date 30 years ago – 15th June 1991 you married at Holsworthy Register Office! Where you both stated ‘I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I may not be joined in matrimony to the other’ and you called upon those persons who were present to witness that you Mark, do take thee, Enid, to be my lawful wedded wife and Enid the same to take Mark to be your lawfully wedded husband! What a joyous day that must have been, with the reception at The White Hart Pub dancing to the Blues Brother’s music! I hope it was a beautiful sunny day like today!
Although it wasn’t a church wedding they were still sacred vows that you stated to each other and everything else that was said on the day…., I know that your faith is important to you Enid so I would like to offer some words from the Anglican marriage ceremony and offer a blessing… where the vows are to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth. You have indeed lived up to those vows having been through many challenges together over the years….But always coming through together, talking things through.
I have a short prayer…..Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day as we celebrate 30 years of marriage together for Enid and Mark. We thank you for journeying with them. Thank you for making them strong and keeping them close. Forgive them for the times they may have failed each other or the times they may have hurt one another.
I’d also like to offer the Lord’s prayer here, let us pray…
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive, those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
I asked Mark if there were any special readings that he may like and he shared with me the words of a song that he finds very special…The song is called No Matter What..
No matter what they do
No matter what they teach us
What we believe is true
I can't deny what I believe
I can't be what I'm not
I know I'll love forever
I know no matter what.
I love those words, so beautiful and heartfelt just like the fact that you try to tell each other every day that you love each other. The basis for a beautiful pearl of a marriage.
Is there anything that you’d like to say to each other now?
As a final blessing I have chosen the beautiful words of John O’Donohue, an Irish writer of blessings and beautiful books.
FOR MARRIAGE
As spring unfolds the dream of the earth,
May you bring each other's hearts to birth.
As the ocean finds calm in view of land,
May you love the gaze of each other's mind.
As the wind arises free and wild,
May nothing negative control your lives.
As kindly as moonlight might search the dark,
So gentle may you be when light grows scarce.
As surprised as the silence that music opens,
May your words for each other be touched with reverence.
As warmly as the air draws in the light,
May you welcome each other's every gift.
As elegant as dream absorbing the night,
May sleep find you clear of anger and hurt.
As twilight harvests all the day's colour,
May love bring you home to each other.
Bless you both and here’s to more years together…..
Thank you for asking me to be part of your anniversary, it feels very special and an honour……
A big thanks to
Rev. Nixie James-Scott
OneSpirit Minister
Life Cycles Celebrant
Home & Family Led Funerals
www.instagram.com/unique_
Who provided the blessing we requested at a very reasonable cost.
And
Andrew Phillips on
Who helped me find someone to do the blessing
